Look no further. many a company can claim to be a one-stop shop, but Construction Resources (CR) more than lives up to the billing. The expansive business offers more than 60 brands across 10 products lines in multiple locations around the Southeast and beyond, all designed to fulfill every need for the home, whether it’s new construction or an ambitious remodeling project.
Its singular goal: transforming ideas into reality.
Founded in 1970 by Fred Hires in Decatur, Georgia, the company originally was known as Atlanta Marble Manufacturing and focused on one product category. Today, his sons, Mitch and Sonny Hires, continue to direct the company, which has 60-plus locations across its manufacturing, fabrication, distribution and showroom network.
Construction Resources debuted its new flagship design center at Westside Paper, a historic, repurposed office and retail space in Westside Atlanta, on June 7. The new facility blends luxury with function and is poised to “redefine the design experience in Atlanta.”
With a 50,000-square-foot capacity, it displays an extensive selection of curated products for the home under one roof, including countertops and cabinetry, premium appliances, flooring, decorative plumbing fixtures, lighting, fireplaces, tile, shower doors, mirrors, garage doors and products for outdoor living. In other words, all the components for a buyer’s dream space.
“We’re fortunate to collaborate with exceptional partners and a talented internal team who’ve worked tirelessly to bring this project to life,” says Whitney Klinkenborg, vice president of showrooms for the company. “The result is a showroom unlike anything currently in the market. It highlights 10 product categories and such premium brands as Sub-Zero Wolf, Cambria, Kohler, Bell Cabinetry and Forum Quartz, offering our clients a high-end, all-in-one design experience.”
There are 65 brands in all.
The focus is on serving the professional trades—builders, designers and architects—with showrooms and staff designed to function as an extension of its client partners’ businesses.
“Builders often refer their clients to us for assistance with product selections, while designers regularly use our spaces to guide their clients through the decision-making process,” Klinkenborg adds. “Whether they prefer a hands-on approach from our design consultants or a more self-guided experience, we tailor our support to meet their needs.”
The new showroom is the latest under the Construction Resources banner, joining the company’s Design Studio location in Buckhead as well as more product-specific showrooms and design centers in Sandy Springs and Decatur. The new multi-product cross-category CR Design Center at Westside Paper, one of Atlanta’s most notable mixed-use redevelopments, is managed by Lauren Carroll and is the first to feature Construction Resources’ complete product portfolio under one roof.
“We identified a need in the market for a true single-source solution where clients or our design consultants can guide their customers through all interior selections in one location,” Klinkenborg says. “With our broad product range, in-house installation teams, and deep commitment to service and design, we’re uniquely positioned to fill that gap and create a seamless experience.”
The Buckhead location, managed by Ariana Pecoraro, came online in February, and the foundational Decatur center, run by design director Antonette Copeland, underwent a recent facelift.
“Decatur has long been a cornerstone of our business and a tremendous resource for our clients,” says Klinkenborg. “We recently invested over $1 million in its redesign to showcase expanded product offerings, including surfaces, tile, glass and mirror, and more. It is a beautiful space, revealing exceptional craftsmanship and unique materials in addition to standard offerings.”
Apart from its Georgia locations and multiple distribution services, Construction Resources also operates showrooms in South Carolina, Florida and Alabama, and distribution and showroom locations along the entire Eastern Seaboard.
The company earlier expanded operations by acquiring Bell Cabinetry, a leader in custom-made cabinets, last December; by buying MVP Granite, a surfaces fabrication business based in Charleston, in March; and through the acquisition of Opustone, one of South Florida’s prime distributors of luxury stone and tile products, in April. These moves have enlarged the firm’s scope and deepened its range of products and services along the East Coast.
Stating that it will “redefine the design experience” in Atlanta is a bold claim, but Construction Resources aims to back it up. “We’re creating an environment that simplifies the selection process, inspires creativity and delivers exceptional service,” Klinkenborg says. “Our expansive product portfolio, design-forward mindset and fully integrated services—from selection to installation—help redefine what a showroom can be for both professionals and their clients.”
Klinkenborg says her task is to deliver an “elevated, high-impact experience” for every client who visits the company’s design centers. “We’re not just displaying products, we are curating environments that reflect excellence in design, craftsmanship and service,” she adds. “Our goal is to be more than a supplier; we strive to be a trusted partner—someone our clients can rely on to protect and enhance their reputation.”
Achieving that aim requires building and leading a team with remarkable expertise, not only in CR’s product categories but in the specific demands of the markets and clients served. CR management stays actively involved in local industry associations, continually gathering feedback from its partners to ensure it is aligned with both current trends and future needs.
Through its website, the company keeps clients abreast of exclusive events, product launches and more. “We also host events, CEUs (Continuing Education Units) and collaborative gatherings as a way to bring our clients together, support their growth and create shared value,” Klinkenborg says.
The difference between a CR Design Center and a CR Design Studio is more than semantic. Design studios are smaller, curated spaces that emphasize inspiration and highlight key product lines, explains Klinkenborg, ideal for client consultations and creative exploration. By contrast, design centers, like the Westside location, provide a broader product portfolio, price points and selection options.
“Few companies invest as deeply in their clients’ success as we do through our showrooms, expert staff and comprehensive offerings, enabling our partners to streamline their process and grow their business,” she says. “Our breadth of premium brands, full-service capabilities and unwavering commitment to the customer experience set us apart.” *
Bill Thompson covers the arts, books and design.
